Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp (AUB) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
Overview
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation is a financial holding company and bank holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and registered under the BHCA. We are headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and provide a wide range of financial services and products to commercial and retail clients through our wholly owned subsidiary bank, Atlantic Union Bank, a Federal Reserve member bank charted under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Bank is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and operates branches and ATMs located in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina. In addition, our non-bank financial services affiliates include Atlantic Union Equipment Finance, Inc., which provides equipment financing; AUB Investments, Inc., which provides investment services; and Atlantic Union Capital Markets, Inc., which provides capital market services.
At December 31, 2025, we had $37.6 billion in assets, $27.8 billion in LHFI, $30.5 billion in deposits, and $5.0 billion in stockholders’ equity.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
On April 1, 2025, we completed our merger with Sandy Spring, the bank holding company for Sandy Spring Bank, and we successfully completed the integration of Sandy Spring branches and operations on October 14, 2025. With the acquisition of Sandy Spring, we acquired more than 50 branches in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., enhancing our presence in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
CRE Loan Sale
On June 26, 2025, we completed the sale of performing CRE loans acquired in the Sandy Spring acquisition with an unpaid principal balance of $2.0 billion, which we marked to fair value at $1.8 billion and classified as held for sale as of the April 1, 2025 acquisition date. The CRE loan sale transaction generated a $10.9 million pre-tax gain, net of transaction expenses, for the year ended 2025. Under the terms of the loan purchase agreement, we sold the loans without recourse and retained customer-facing servicing responsibilities.
Forward Sale Agreements
On October 21, 2024, in connection with the execution of the Sandy Spring merger agreement, we entered into an initial forward sale agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (the “Forward Purchaser”) relating to an aggregate of 9,859,155 shares of our common stock. On October 21, 2024, we priced the public offering of shares of our common stock in connection with such forward sale agreement and entered into an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative for the underwriters named therein, the Forward Purchaser and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as forward seller (the “Forward Seller”), relating to the registered public offering and sale of 9,859,155 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $35.50 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions). The underwriters were granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,478,873 shares of our common stock. On October 21, 2024, the underwriters exercised in full their option to purchase the additional 1,478,873 shares of our common stock pursuant to the underwriting agreement and, in connection therewith, we entered into an additional forward sale agreement with the Forward Purchaser relating to 1,478,873 shares of our common stock, on terms substantially similar to those contained in the initial forward sale agreement (such additional forward sale agreement together with the initial forward sale agreement, the “Forward Sale Agreements”).
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On April 1, 2025, we physically settled in full the Forward Sale Agreements by delivering 11,338,028 shares of our common stock to the Forward Purchaser. We received net proceeds from such sale of shares of our common stock and full physical settlement of the Forward Sale Agreements, before expenses, of approximately $385.0 million.
History
The Company was originally incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1991, and we completed our bank holding company formation in July 1993, in connection with the merger of Northern Neck Bankshares Corporation with and into Union Bancorp, Inc. to form Union Bankshares Corporation, which was renamed Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation in 2019.
Union Bank & Trust Company, a predecessor of Atlantic Union Bank, was formed in 1902, and certain other of the community banks that were acquired and ultimately merged to form what is now Atlantic Union Bank were among the oldest in Virginia at the time they were acquired.
We have a history of growing through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, particularly with our five most recent acquisitions—StellarOne Corporation in 2014, Xenith Bankshares, Inc. in 2018, Access National Corporation in 2019, American National in 2024, and Sandy Spring in 2025—which allowed us to meaningfully increase our asset size, enhance our scale and expand our footprint in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.
The table below indicates the year each of our predecessor community banks was formed, acquired by us, and merged into what is now Atlantic Union Bank.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Formed | | Acquired | | Merged |
| Union Bank & Trust Company | 1902 | n/a | 2010 | |||
| Northern Neck State Bank | 1909 | 1993 | 2010 | |||
| King George State Bank | 1974 | 1996 | 1999 | |||
| Rappahannock National Bank | 1902 | 1998 | 2010 | |||
| Guaranty Bank | 1981 | 2004 | 2004 | |||
| Prosperity Bank & Trust Company | 1986 | 2006 | 2008 | |||
| Bay Community Bank | 1999 | de novo bank | 2008 | |||
| First Market Bank, FSB | 2000 | 2010 | 2010 | |||
| StellarOne Bank | 1994 | 2014 | 2014 | |||
| Xenith Bank | 1987 | 2018 | 2018 | |||
| Access National Bank | 1999 | 2019 | 2019 | |||
| American National Bank and Trust Company | | 1909 | | 2024 | | 2024 |
| Sandy Spring Bank | | 1868 | | 2025 | | 2025 |
Principal Products and Services
We are a full-service bank offering consumers and businesses a wide range of banking and related financial services, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit, and other depository services, as well as loans for CRE, commercial, industrial, residential mortgage, and consumer purposes. We also offer wealth management and trust services to individuals and corporations, as well as treasury management and capital market services. In addition, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, we offer equipment financing services, and insurance products through an agreement with Bearing Insurance LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. Our customers have access to our products and services in person via our full-service branches and ATMs, and virtually through our mobile and internet banking services. We strive to provide a differentiated customer experience that is authentically human and digital forward.
Lending Activities. Our loan portfolio consists primarily of CRE, commercial, industrial, residential mortgage, and consumer loans. A substantial portion of our loan portfolio is represented by commercial and residential real estate loans (including acquisition and development loans and residential construction loans). The ability of our borrowers to honor their loan contracts is dependent on the real estate market and general economic conditions in those markets, as well as other factors. The majority of our CRE and industrial loans are made to customers in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and South Carolina.
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Mortgage Banking. Our mortgage unit, Atlantic Union Home Loans, originates the majority of our residential mortgage loans to borrowers within our branch footprint, largely with the intent to sell such loans into the secondary mortgage markets.
Equipment Finance. We provide equipment financing to commercial and corporate customers nationwide, primarily through Atlantic Union Equipment Finance, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank. Atlantic Union Equipment Finance provides financing for a wide array of equipment types, including marine, tractors, trailers, buses, construction, manufacturing, and medical.
Wealth Management, Trust and Insurance. We offer a wide variety of financial planning, wealth management and trust services to individuals and corporations, which allows us to reach new customers and expand product offerings to our existing loan and deposit customers. We offer financial planning, trust and investment management, and retirement planning services through our team of experienced financial advisors. Through Atlantic Union Financial Consultants, LLC, we offer brokerage services and execute securities transactions through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., an independent broker dealer. In addition, we offer wealth management services through our registered independent advisors, SSB Wealth Management Inc. (Rembert Pendleton Jackson) and West Financial Services, Inc.
Our insurance affiliate, Union Insurance Group, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank that operates under an agreement with Bearing Insurance LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. Union Insurance Group generates revenue through the sale of various insurance products through Bearing Insurance LLC, including long-term care insurance and business owner policies.
Deposit Products and Treasury Management Services. Our primary source of funds for our lending and investment activities are our deposit products. We provide both commercial and consumer customers a diverse array of deposit products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit, among others. Our deposits are primarily made to customers based in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.
In addition, we offer our customers a variety of treasury management services that provide cash management, fraud protection, liquidity and payment solutions, which primarily include automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments, domestic and international wires, check issuance services, and credit cards (through an arrangement with Elan Financial Services). Treasury management services generate fee-based revenue, deepen client relationships, and support our core deposit franchise.
Capital Market Services. We offer our commercial and institutional clients a variety of capital market services that provide risk management, financing, and balance sheet solutions, which primarily include interest rate risk management products such as swaps and other derivative instruments, loan syndication and arrangement services and foreign exchange services. Capital market services generate income through fees and customer-related spreads and are typically provided in connection with lending.
SEGMENTS
We operate through two reportable operating segments: Wholesale Banking and Consumer Banking, with corporate support functions, such as corporate treasury functions and others, included in Corporate Other.
Our Wholesale Banking segment provides loan, leasing, deposit services, treasury management, and capital market services to our wholesale customers throughout Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and South Carolina. These customers include CRE and commercial and industrial customers. This segment also includes our equipment finance subsidiary, which has nationwide exposure. Our wealth management business also resides in the Wholesale Banking segment, which provides a wide variety of financial planning, wealth management and trust services to individuals and corporations.
Our Consumer Banking segment provides loan and deposit services and retail brokerage services to consumers and small businesses throughout Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Consumer Banking includes our home loan division and our investment management and advisory services businesses.
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EXPANSION AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
We have expanded our market area and increased our market share through a combination of organic growth (internal growth and de novo expansion) and strategic mergers and acquisitions. To date, our strategic acquisitions have included whole bank acquisitions, branch and deposit acquisitions, purchases of existing branches from other banks, and registered investment advisory firms. Our merger and acquisition strategy has focused on institutions that are a strong cultural fit and that are consistent with our philosophy of soundness, profitability, and growth. In 2025, we announced a strategic expansion into North Carolina that will result in ten new branches over the next three years, focusing initially on the Raleigh and Wilmington areas, with plans to open highly visible locations targeting attractive submarkets combined with 86 planned AUB branded ATMs at high-traffic retailers, as well as expanded commercial, wealth and mortgage teams throughout the region.
We may continue to assess future strategic opportunities based on market and other conditions, applying a number of criteria, including transactions that:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | enhance our footprint, allowing for cost savings and economies of scale, or allow us to expand into contiguous markets, or that otherwise may be strategically compelling (such as transactions that diversify our revenue streams) or add attractive business lines, products, services or technological capabilities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | meet our financial criteria; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | are consistent with our risk appetite. |
These transactions may include whole bank and non-bank mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, or strategic partner equity investments.
HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES
We continuously seek to balance our commitments to our key stakeholders: our teammates, customers, shareholders, regulators, and communities. To accomplish this, it is crucial that we continue to identify, attract and retain talent who desire to enrich the lives of the people and communities that we serve. To facilitate talent attraction and retention, we strive to create an inclusive, safe, and healthy workplace, that provides opportunities for our teammates to grow and develop in their careers, supported by strong compensation, benefits, health and welfare programs.
Employee Profile
As of December 31, 2025, we had 3,064 full-time equivalent employees (who we refer to as “teammates”), and the average tenure of our teammates was 7.4 years. None of our teammates are represented by a union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement.
Our Workplace Culture
We seek to be recognized as the premier Mid-Atlantic Bank – a high performing company that makes banking easy by providing competitive banking solutions, a highly differentiated customer and teammate experience and a great place to work. Our culture is defined by our purpose to enrich the lives of the people and the communities we serve.
Our core values guide our actions to further this purpose, serve as the foundation for how we behave and operate as an organization and will influence our future success. Our core values include being:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Caring. Working together toward common goals, acting with kindness, respect, and a genuine concern for others. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Courageous. Speaking openly, honestly and accepting our challenges and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Committed. Driven to help our clients, teammates and Company succeed, doing what is right and accountable for our actions. |
We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where teammate and customer perspectives are valued and respected. We seek to foster a culture of giving back to the communities where our customers live, work, and
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play. Charitable donations, small business lending, volunteerism, teaching financial literacy and promoting service within our communities are some of the ways we give back.
Compensation and Benefits
Our compensation programs are designed to attract, retain, and motivate high performing talent and provide market aligned pay programs in support of our business strategies. Our compensation programs are tied to both individual and corporate performances. In addition, we use the services of compensation consultants to advise us on compensation practices and to regularly benchmark our compensation and benefits programs against our peers. Our compensation policies and procedures are designed to ensure proper governance and acceptable levels of risk.
We believe that our teammates are best able to deliver a great customer experience if they feel healthy and secure. Our benefits programs are designed around five pillars of wellbeing – health, social, community, financial and career. These pillars guide how we support teammates in living healthy, balanced, and fulfilling lives – personally and professionally – and serve as a framework for shaping and deciding new benefit programs. We offer a variety of benefit programs that flex to meet the needs of teammates, as we strive for a differentiated and personalized experience and to deliver what is most important to teammates throughout the various stages of their lives and careers, including, among others, healthcare and insurance benefits, various paid time off programs (inclusive of parental leave for both birth and non-birth parents), fertility and adoption assistance, bereavement support, a mental health support program, a 401(k) Plan that includes a Company match, matching gift donations, and tuition expense reimbursements.
Talent Development and Training
We believe our human capital is our most important asset, and we are committed to investing in the growth and development of our teammates. We have a performance development program that encourages teammate development through informal mentoring and ongoing conversations with their supervisors to seek to align our business objectives with our teammates’ personal development and career aspirations. Our performance development program is very important to delivering business results and helps gain greater alignment between strategic goals and individual goals.
We also conduct an annual talent review process designed to evaluate both the performance and potential of our teammates. This process helps to identify high-performing teammates, recognize emerging high-potential talent, and highlight areas where additional development may be needed. The talent review process also serves as a foundation for succession planning, helping the Company maintain a strong leadership pipeline and mitigate risks associated with critical role vacancies.
We also provide training opportunities to foster teammate growth and development, enhance teammate skillsets, and prepare teammates to be successful in their roles. For example, we offer specific, targeted training to all new hires, as well as professional development, role-based, and regulatory/compliance training. All teammates have access to training opportunities through a learning management system and/or learning experience platform, and we offer training through multiple modalities. We emphasize succession planning and provide executive development initiatives designed to cultivate the capabilities of our senior-level talent. Our leadership development efforts are designed to fortify a robust talent pipeline, allow for continuous growth, and support effective leadership transitions.
COMPETITION
The financial services industry remains highly competitive and is constantly evolving. We experience strong competition in all aspects of our business. In our market areas, we compete with large national and regional financial institutions, credit unions, other independent community banks, as well as consumer finance companies, mortgage companies, loan production offices, mutual funds, life insurance companies and fintech companies. Competition for deposits and loans is affected by various factors including, without limitation, interest rates offered, the number and location of branches and types of products offered, digital capabilities, and the reputation of the institution. Credit unions increasingly have been allowed to expand their membership definitions, and because they enjoy a favorable tax status, they may be able to offer more attractive loan and deposit pricing. Our non-bank affiliates also operate in highly competitive environments.
In addition, non-bank competitors are increasingly offering products and services that traditionally were only offered by banks. Many of these non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulations that govern bank
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holding companies and federally insured banks, which may allow them to offer greater lending limits and certain products and services that we do not provide.
We believe our community focused banking framework and philosophy provides us with a competitive advantage, particularly with regard to larger national and regional institutions, allowing us to compete effectively. Additionally, our attention to incorporating digital technology has made it possible for us to provide our customers with electronic, mobile, and internet-based financial solutions, such as online deposit accounts and electronic payment processing. Our deposit market share in Virginia was 6.3% of total bank deposits as of June 30, 2025, based on FDIC deposit data, and we were the largest regional bank headquartered in Virginia at that time. Our deposit market share in Maryland was 4.8% of total bank deposits as of June 30, 2025, based on FDIC deposit data, contributing to make us the largest regional bank headquartered in the lower mid-Atlantic at that time.
ECONOMY
The economies in our market areas are diverse and include local and federal government, military, agriculture, and manufacturing. Based on data from the Virginia Employment Commission and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following table presents the seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for the respective state or district compared to the national rate as of December 31,:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | | 2024 | |
| Virginia | | 3.60 | % | | 2.90 | % |
| North Carolina | | 3.90 | % | | 3.70 | % |
| Maryland | | 4.20 | % | | 3.10 | % |
| Washington D.C. | | 6.70 | % | | 5.30 | % |
| National rate | | 4.40 | % | | 4.10 | % |
As noted in the table above, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland are below the national rate at each date.
Our operations are affected not only by general economic conditions but also by the policies of various regulatory authorities. In late 2024, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy shifted as inflationary pressure began to ease and economic growth moderated. The FOMC reduced the target range for the Federal Funds rate by a total of 100 bps from September 2024 to December 2024 and by another 75 bps from September 2025 to December 2025, resulting in a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%. In January 2026, the FOMC held the target range for the Federal Funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75%, but noted that uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. With continued uncertainty over the potential impacts of changes in U.S. and global trade and other economic policies and tensions, it is difficult to predict how the Federal Reserve will balance possible inflationary pressure with the potential of slower economic growth and rising risks in employment.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
We are extensively regulated and supervised under both federal and state laws. The following description describes certain aspects of those regulations that are material to us and is not a complete description of all regulations, or aspects of those regulations, that affect us. To the extent statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals are described in this Form 10-K, the description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals. Proposals to change the laws, regulations, and policies governing the banking industry are frequently raised at both the state and federal levels. These laws and regulations impose compliance costs and create obligations and, in some cases, reporting obligations, and compliance with these laws, regulations, and obligations may require us to use significant resources.
The likelihood and timing of any changes in laws and regulations and the supervisory environment, and the impact such changes may have on us, are difficult to ascertain. In addition to laws and regulations, bank regulatory agencies may issue policy statements, interpretive letters, and similar written guidance applicable to us. A change in applicable laws, regulations, or regulatory guidance, in the manner such laws, regulations or regulatory guidance are interpreted by regulatory agencies or courts, or in the supervisory environment generally, may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, and earnings. Supervision, regulation, and examination of banks by regulatory agencies are
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intended primarily for the protection of depositors and customers, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the U.S. banking and financial system rather than shareholders.
We are also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), both as administered by the SEC, as well as the rules of the NYSE that apply to companies with securities listed on the NYSE.
The Company
General. The Company is registered as a bank holding company with the Federal Reserve under the BHCA and has elected to be a financial holding company. As a result, we are subject to comprehensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve, as well as restrictions and qualifications on permissible activities. The Company is also registered under the bank holding company laws of Virginia and is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the Bureau of Financial Institutions, a division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Permitted Activities. The BHCA generally limits the activities permissible for a bank holding company to the business of banking, managing or controlling banks, and engaging in such other activities that the Federal Reserve determines by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies, such as the Company, may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury) or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve), without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. These activities include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting, and making merchant banking investments.
To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed” as defined under applicable Federal Reserve requirements. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the Federal Reserve’s regulations provide that the financial holding company must enter into an agreement with the Federal Reserve to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements. Until the financial holding company returns to compliance, the Federal Reserve may impose limitations or conditions on the conduct of its activities, and the company may not commence any of the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or acquire a company engaged in such financial activities without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the Federal Reserve may require the financial holding company to divest its depository institution subsidiaries or to cease engaging in any activity that is financial in nature (or incident to such financial activity) or complementary to a financial activity.
For a financial holding company to start any new activity permitted by the BHCA or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. See below under “The Bank – Community Reinvestment Act.”
The Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate ownership or control of any subsidiary when the Federal Reserve has reasonable cause to believe that a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any bank subsidiary of that bank holding company may result from such an activity.
Banking Acquisitions; Changes in Control. The BHCA and related regulations require, among other things, the prior approval of the Federal Reserve in any case where a bank holding company proposes to (i) acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the outstanding voting stock of any bank or bank holding company (unless it already owns a majority of such voting shares), (ii) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company, or (iii) merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company. In determining whether to approve a proposed bank acquisition, the Federal Reserve will consider public or private interests that may not be aligned with those of the Company’s shareholders or non-deposit creditors.
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Acquisitions of the Company’s voting stock above certain thresholds are subject to prior regulatory notice or approval under federal banking laws, including the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended (the “CIBCA”). Under the CIBCA, a person or entity generally obtains non-objection from the Federal Reserve before acquiring the power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting stock, including the Company’s common stock. Investors should be aware of these requirements when acquiring shares in the Company’s stock.
In addition, Virginia law requires the prior approval of the Bureau of Financial Institutions, a division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission for (i) the acquisition by a Virginia bank holding company of more than 5% of the voting shares of a Virginia bank or a Virginia bank holding company, or (ii) the acquisition by any other person of control of a Virginia bank holding company or a Virginia bank.
Source of Strength. The Company is statutorily required to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank. The Company is expected to commit resources to support the Bank, including times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources.
Safety and Soundness. There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed on bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks by law and regulatory policy that are designed to minimize potential loss to the depositors of such depository institutions and the Deposit Insurance Fund in the event of a depository institution insolvency, receivership, or default.
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards relating to capital management, internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, information systems, data security, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure and risk management, vendor management, corporate governance, asset growth and compensation, fees, and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and characterize compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer or employee, director or principal shareholder. In addition, the federal banking agencies have adopted regulations that authorize but do not require an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by the agency that it is not in compliance with any of the safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types, including those that may limit growth or capital distributions.
Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve imposes certain capital requirements on bank holding companies under the BHCA, including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of “qualifying” capital to risk-weighted assets. These requirements are described below under “The Bank – Capital Requirements.” Subject to its capital requirements and certain other restrictions, the Company is able to borrow money to make a capital contribution to the Bank, and such loans may be repaid from dividends paid by the Bank to the Company.
Limits on Dividends, Capital Distributions and Other Payments. The Company is a legal entity, separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. A significant portion of the revenues of the Company result from dividends paid to it by the Bank. There are various legal limitations applicable to the payment of dividends by the Bank to the Company to the payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, and to the repurchase by the Company of outstanding shares of its capital stock. Federal Reserve policy provides that bank holding companies, such as the Company, should generally pay dividends to shareholders only if (i) the organization’s net income available to common shareholders over the past year has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (ii) the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition; and (iii) the organization will continue to meet minimum capital adequacy ratios. In addition, the Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Company. Under current regulations, prior approval from the Federal Reserve is required if cash dividends declared by the Bank in any given year exceed net income for that year, plus retained net profits of the two preceding years. The payment of dividends by the Bank or the Company may be limited by other factors, such as requirements to maintain capital above regulatory guidelines. Bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the Bank or the Company from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its respective business. The payment of dividends or the repurchase of outstanding capital stock, depending on the financial condition of the Bank, or the Company, could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice.
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Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, insured depository institutions such as the Bank, are prohibited from making capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such distributions, the institution would become “undercapitalized” (as such term is used in the statute). Based on the Bank’s current financial condition, the Company does not expect that this provision will have any impact on its ability to receive dividends from the Bank.
The Bank
General. The Bank is chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia and is supervised and regularly examined by the Bureau of Financial Institutions, a division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The Bank, as a member of the Federal Reserve System, is also supervised and regularly examined by the Federal Reserve. The Bank is also subject to regulation and supervision by the CFPB, as an institution with more than $10 billion in assets. The various laws and regulations administered by the bank regulatory agencies affect corporate practices, such as the payment of dividends, incurrence of debt, and acquisition of financial institutions and other companies; they also affect business practices, such as the payment of interest on deposits, the charging of interest on loans, types of business conducted, and location of offices. Certain of these laws and regulations are referenced above under “The Company”.
Interchange Fees. Interchange fees, or “swipe” fees, are charges that merchants pay to the Bank and other card-issuing banks for processing electronic payment transactions. Under final rules of the Federal Reserve, which are applicable to financial institutions that have assets of $10 billion or more, the maximum permissible interchange fee is equal to the sum of 21 cents plus 0.05% of the transaction value for many types of debit interchange transactions. These rules permit an upward adjustment to an issuer’s debit card interchange fee of no more than one cent per transaction if the issuer develops and implements policies and procedures reasonably designed to achieve certain fraud-prevention standards. The Federal Reserve also has rules governing routing and exclusivity that require issuers to offer two unaffiliated networks for routing transactions on each debit or prepaid product.
In October 2023, the Federal Reserve issued proposed rules that would reduce the maximum permissible interchange fee cap. The proposed rules would also adopt an approach for future adjustments to the interchange fee cap, which would occur every other year based on data received by the Federal Reserve in biennial surveys of covered financial institutions. It is unclear when or whether this rule will be finalized.
Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve and the other federal banking agencies have issued risk-based and leverage capital guidelines applicable to U.S. banking organizations. Those regulatory agencies may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels because of its financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.
The Federal Reserve has adopted capital requirements and calculations of risk-weighted assets to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended (the “Dodd-Frank Act”).
Under these risk-based capital requirements of the Federal Reserve, the Company and the Bank are required to maintain the following to be considered adequately capitalized: (i) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, and (iii) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%.
The Federal Reserve’s capital requirements also impose a capital conservation buffer requirement of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.
Each of the federal bank regulatory agencies also has established a minimum leverage capital ratio of Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets (“Tier 1 leverage ratio”). The guidelines require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3.0% for advanced approach banking organizations; all other banking organizations are required to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. In addition, for a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for Prompt Corrective Action, its Tier 1 leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%. Banking organizations that have experienced internal growth or made acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance on intangible assets.
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The Federal Reserve’s final rules prescribe a standardized approach for risk weightings for a risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset classes.
The Federal Reserve’s regulatory capital rules also provide that the Company’s trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 2 capital. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has $171.6 million of trust preferred securities outstanding and $37.6 billion in assets.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company and the Bank were well above minimum requirements and requirements for “well capitalized” status, as applicable. The capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2025 are set forth below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | Minimum Ratio | | | | | | | |
| | | Minimum | | | Plus Capital | | | | | | | |
| | | Regulatory | | | Conservation | | | Well-Capitalized | | | | |
| | | Capital Ratio | | | Buffer | | | Minimums (1) | | | Actual | |
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Consolidated | | 4.50 | % | | 7.00 | % | | NA | | | 10.10 | % |
| Atlantic Union Bank | | 4.50 | % | | 7.00 | % | | 6.50 | % | | 13.02 | % |
| Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated | | 6.00 | % | | 8.50 | % | | 6.00 | % | | 10.64 | % |
| Atlantic Union Bank | | 6.00 | % | | 8.50 | % | | 8.00 | % | | 13.02 | % |
| Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated | | 8.00 | % | | 10.50 | % | | 10.00 | % | | 13.90 | % |
| Atlantic Union Bank | | 8.00 | % | | 10.50 | % | | 10.00 | % | | 13.98 | % |
| Tier 1 Leverage Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated | | 4.00 | % | | NA | | | NA | | | 9.10 | % |
| Atlantic Union Bank | | 4.00 | % | | NA | | | 5.00 | % | | 11.13 | % |
(1) Reflects the well-capitalized standard applicable to the Bank and the well-capitalized standard applicable to the Company under the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation Y.
Deposit Insurance. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC in the standard insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership type. The FDIC has adopted a large-bank pricing assessment structure, set a target “designated reserve ratio” of 2% for the Deposit Insurance Fund, and in lieu of dividends, provides for a lower assessment rate schedule, when the reserve ratio reaches 2% and 2.5%. An institution’s assessment rate is based on a statistical analysis of financial ratios that estimates the likelihood of failure over a three-year period, which considers the institution’s weighted average capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity, or CAMELS, composite rating and is subject to further adjustments including related to levels of unsecured debt and brokered deposits.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, we incurred deposit insurance assessment expenses of $27.5 million, $18.3 million, and $18.0 million, respectively.
Transactions with Affiliates. The authority of the Bank to engage in transactions with related parties or affiliates, or to make loans to insiders, is limited by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and Regulation W. Loan transactions with an affiliate generally must be collateralized and certain transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, including the sale of assets, the payment of money or the provision of services, must be on terms and conditions that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing for comparable nonaffiliated transactions. In addition, the Bank generally may not purchase securities issued or underwritten by affiliates.
Prompt Corrective Action. Federal banking regulators are authorized and, under certain circumstances, required to take certain actions against banks that fail to meet their capital requirements. The federal bank regulatory agencies have additional enforcement authority with respect to undercapitalized depository institutions. “Well capitalized” institutions may generally operate without additional supervisory restriction. With respect to “adequately capitalized” institutions, such banks cannot normally pay dividends or make any capital contributions that would leave it undercapitalized, they cannot pay a management fee to a controlling person if, after paying the fee, it would be undercapitalized, and they
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cannot accept, renew, or roll over any brokered deposit unless the bank has applied for and been granted a waiver by the FDIC.
Immediately upon becoming “undercapitalized,” a depository institution becomes subject to the provisions of Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which: (i) restrict payment of capital distributions and management fees; (ii) require that the appropriate federal banking agency monitor the condition of the institution and its efforts to restore its capital; (iii) require submission of a capital restoration plan; (iv) restrict the growth of the institution’s assets; and (v) require prior approval of certain expansion proposals. The appropriate federal banking agency for an undercapitalized institution also may take any number of discretionary supervisory actions if the agency determines that any of these actions is necessary to resolve the problems of the institution at the least possible long-term cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund, subject in certain cases to specified procedures. These discretionary supervisory actions include: (i) requiring the institution to raise additional capital; (ii) restricting transactions with affiliates; (iii) requiring divestiture of the institution or the sale of the institution to a willing purchaser; and (iv) any other supervisory action that the agency deems appropriate. These and additional mandatory and permissive supervisory actions may be taken with respect to significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized institutions. The Bank met the definition of being “well capitalized” as of December 31, 2025.
The prompt corrective action regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act require for well-capitalized status a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.0%, a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.0%, and a minimum total capital ratio of 10.0%.
Community Reinvestment Act. The Bank is subject to the requirements of the CRA. The CRA imposes on financial institutions an affirmative and ongoing obligation to meet the credit needs of the local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. If the Bank receives a rating from the Federal Reserve of less than “satisfactory” under the CRA, restrictions on operating activities would be imposed. In addition, in order for a financial holding company, like the Company, to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. The Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination.
FHLB. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Atlanta, which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks that provide funding to their members for making housing loans as well as for affordable housing and community development loans. Each Federal Home Loan Bank serves as a reserve, or central bank, for the members within its assigned region, and makes loans to its members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the applicable Federal Home Loan Bank. As a member, the Bank must purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB.
Anti-money laundering and U.S. economic sanctions compliance. The Bank is subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended (the “Bank Secrecy Act”), and its implementing regulations, which require financial institutions to, among other things, implement and maintain anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (“AML/CFT”) compliance programs designed to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism and to adhere to recordkeeping and reporting requirements which require the Bank to collect and maintain information about its customers and, in some instances, its legal entity customers’ beneficial owners. For example, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations require banks and other covered financial institutions to verify their customers’ identity at account opening and to establish written procedures to identify and verify the identity of the beneficial owners of legal entity customers. The Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations also require banks and other covered financial institutions to implement and maintain risk-based procedures for conducting ongoing customer due diligence to, among other things, (1) understand the nature and purpose of customer relationships to develop a customer risk profile and (2) conduct ongoing monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions and, on a risk basis, maintain and update customer information. Banks and other covered financial institutions are required to integrate their customer due diligence policies, procedures and process within their broader AML/CFT compliance programs.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, enacted on January 1, 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (“AMLA”), amends the Bank Secrecy Act but does not directly impose new requirements on banks. In an effort to increase transparency in the U.S. financial system and prevent shell entities from being used to launder money or hide assets, AMLA includes the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”), which requires the U.S. Treasury Department’s
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Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) to, among other things, establish a national beneficial ownership information registry. In September 2022, FinCEN issued the final Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements rule (the “BOI Reporting Rule”), which, requires certain “reporting companies” to file beneficial ownership information reports with FinCEN that will be stored in the national beneficial ownership registry and will detail the reporting company’s beneficial owners. In March 2025, FinCEN issued an interim final rule removing the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report such beneficial ownership information and indicated that it would issue a modified set of regulations regarding beneficial ownership disclosures. Given the potential of new regulations from FinCEN, as well as ongoing litigation with respect to the CTA, it is not clear what impact the CTA and BOI Reporting Rule will have on the Bank.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for administering U.S. economic sanctions, which prohibit certain transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. OFAC-administered sanctions take on many different forms. For example, sanctions may include: (1) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions on U.S. persons engaging in financial transactions relating to, making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (2) blocking assets in which certain sanctioned foreign governments, entities or individuals have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons. OFAC maintains a list of designated persons, groups or entities that are the target of sanctions, including the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.” The assets of designated persons, groups or entities are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with any such persons. Moreover, blocked assets, for example property and bank deposits, cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. If the Bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer associated with a sanctioned person, it must freeze or block such account or transaction, file a blocked property report with OFAC and notify the appropriate authorities.
Volcker Rule. The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in, sponsoring, and having certain relationships with private funds such as hedge funds or private equity funds that would be considered an investment company for purposes of the Volcker Rule. The compliance requirements under regulations implementing the Volcker Rule are tailored based on the size and scope of trading activities. Because its total trading assets and liabilities are maintained under $1 billion, the Company is categorized with “limited” total trading assets and liabilities and benefits from a presumption of compliance with the Volcker Rule.
Consumer Financial Protection. The Bank is subject to a number of federal and state consumer protection laws that extensively govern its relationship with its customers. These laws include, but are not limited to, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Service Members Civil Relief Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Act and their respective state law counterparts. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we may be subject to various penalties or enforcement actions. Failure to comply with consumer protection requirements may also result in delays in obtaining or failure to obtain any required bank regulatory approval for our proposed merger or acquisition transactions.
The CFPB has broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the laws referenced above, other fair lending laws, and certain other statutes. The CFPB also has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to consumer financial laws for depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets, including, among other things, the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive, or abusive” acts and practices in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. The CFPB may issue cease-and-desist orders against banks and other entities that violate consumer financial laws. The CFPB also may institute civil actions against banks and other entities that violate federal consumer financial laws, and such civil actions may result in civil penalties or injunctions. Further, regulatory positions taken by the CFPB may influence how other regulatory agencies apply the consumer financial protection laws and regulations subject to such regulatory positions. The CFPB may issue regulations that impact products and services offered by the Company or the Bank. The regulations could reduce the fees that we receive, alter the way we provide our products and services or expose us to greater risk of private litigation or regulatory enforcement action.
The current leadership of the CFPB has indicated intentions to rescind or revise many regulations, as well as to narrow its enforcement and supervision. We cannot currently predict the nature and timing of future developments that may potentially impact CFPB rules, proposals, enforcement and supervision.
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Mortgage Banking Regulation. In connection with making mortgage loans, we are subject to rules and regulations that, among other things, establish standards for loan origination and servicing, prohibit discrimination, provide for inspections and appraisals of property, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, in some cases restrict certain loan features and fix maximum interest rates and fees, require the disclosure of certain basic information to mortgagors concerning credit and settlement costs, limit payment for settlement services to the reasonable value of the services rendered and require the maintenance and disclosure of information regarding the disposition of mortgage applications based on race, gender, geographical distribution and income level, and establish requirements for servicing mortgage loans including loan mitigation. We are also subject to rules and regulations that require the collection and reporting of significant amounts of information with respect to mortgage loans and borrowers.
Our mortgage origination activities are subject to Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act. Certain provisions of Regulation Z require creditors to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Creditors are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the creditor to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the creditor can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage, the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3% of the total loan amount.
Qualified mortgages that are higher-priced (e.g., subprime loans) garner a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g., prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. To meet the mortgage credit needs of a broader customer base, we are predominantly an originator of mortgages that are intended to comply with the ability-to-pay requirements.
Real Estate Lending Standards and Guidance. The federal banking agencies have adopted uniform regulations setting forth standards for extensions of credit that are secured by real estate. Under these regulations, the Bank must adopt and maintain written policies establishing appropriate limits and standards for extensions of credit that are secured by real estate. These policies must establish loan portfolio diversification standards, prudent underwriting standards (including loan-to-value limits) that are clear and measurable, loan administration procedures and documentation, approval and reporting requirements.
The federal banking agencies have also jointly issued guidance on “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending,” which defines CRE loans as exposures secured by raw land, land development and construction (including 1-4 family residential construction), multi-family property, and non-farm nonresidential property where the primary or a significant source of repayment is derived from rental income or the proceeds of the sale, refinancing, or permanent financing of the property. The guidance requires that appropriate processes be in place to identify, monitor and control risks associated with real estate lending concentrations. If a concentration is present, management must employ heightened risk management practices that address key elements, including board and management oversight and strategic planning, portfolio management, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing, and maintenance of increased capital levels as needed to support the level of CRE lending. The guidance states that the following metrics may indicate a concentration of CRE loans, but that these metrics are neither limits nor a safe harbor: (1) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of total risk-based capital; or (2) total reported loans secured by multi-family properties, nonfarm non-residential properties (excluding those that are owner-occupied), and loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 300% or more of total risk-based capital and the bank’s CRE loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity. We are, or may in the future become, subject to a variety of complex and evolving laws, regulations, rules and standards at the federal, state and local levels regarding data privacy and cybersecurity. Data privacy and cybersecurity are currently areas of considerable legislative and regulatory attention, with new or modified laws, regulations, rules and standards being frequently adopted and potentially subject to divergent interpretation or
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application in a manner that may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements for businesses. Data privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations often impose strict requirements regarding the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, protection and other processing of personal information, which may have adverse consequences on our business, including incurring significant compliance costs, requiring changes to our business or operations and imposing severe penalties for non-compliance. Specifically, we are subject to various laws and regulations that address the privacy of nonpublic personal financial information of customers. As a financial institution, we must provide our customers information regarding our policies and procedures with respect to the handling of customers’ personal information. We must also conduct an internal risk assessment of our ability to protect customer information. These data privacy laws and regulations generally prohibit financial institutions from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated parties without prior notice and approval from the customer.
For example, at the federal level, the federal banking regulators have adopted certain rules, including pursuant to the
amended Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in 2018 (“GLBA”), that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public personal information about consumers to third parties. In addition, consumers may also prevent disclosure among affiliated companies of certain non-public personal information that is assembled or used to determine eligibility for a product or service, such as that shown on consumer credit reports and application information. Consumers also have the option to direct banks and other financial institutions not to share certain information about transactions and experiences with affiliated companies for the purpose of marketing products or services.
Additionally, the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines for establishing information security standards and cybersecurity programs for implementing safeguards under the supervision of a financial institution’s board of directors. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial products and services. For example, the federal bank regulatory agencies expect financial institutions to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials and also expect financial institutions to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyberattack. If we fail to meet the expectations set forth in this regulatory guidance, we could be subject to various regulatory actions and any remediation efforts may require us to devote significant resources.
The federal bank regulatory agencies also adopted rules to improve the sharing of information about cyber incidents that may affect the U.S. banking system. A banking organization must notify its primary federal regulator of certain significant “computer-security incidents” that may pose a threat to the stability of the U.S. financial sector as soon as possible and no later than 36 hours after the banking organization determines that a notification incident has occurred. A bank service provider must also notify affected banking organization customers as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially disrupted or degraded or is reasonably likely to materially disrupt or degrade covered services provided to such banking organization customers for four or more hours.
Additionally, the enactment of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (“CIRCIA”) in 2022, once rulemaking is complete, will require, among other things, covered entities to report significant cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks, to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) within 72 hours from the time the covered entity reasonably believes the incident occurred (and within 24 hours of making a ransom payment as a result of a ransomware attack).
The Company and its nonbanking subsidiaries are also subject to rules and regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates unfair or deceptive acts or practices, including with respect to data privacy and cybersecurity. Additionally, like other lenders, the Bank uses credit bureau data in its underwriting activities. Use of such data is regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which also regulates reporting information to credit bureaus, prescreening individuals for credit offers, sharing of information between affiliates, and using affiliate data for marketing purposes. Similar state laws may impose additional requirements on the Company and its subsidiaries.
Data privacy and cybersecurity are areas of increasing state legislative focus. Several states have adopted regulations requiring certain financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs and providing detailed requirements with respect to these programs, including data encryption requirements. Many states have also implemented, or are considering implementing, comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act, and the Virginia Consumer Data Protection
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Act (“VCDPA”). The VCDPA grants Virginia residents the right to access, correct, delete, know, and opt-out of the sale and processing for targeted advertising purposes of their personal information, similar to the protections provided by similar consumer data privacy laws in California and in Europe. The VCDPA also imposes data protection assessment requirements and authorizes the Attorney General of Virginia to enforce the VCDPA but does not provide a private right of action for consumers. The Bank is exempt from the VCDPA, but certain third-party vendors of the Company or the Bank are subject to the VCDPA, which could negatively impact the products or services that we obtain from those vendors. In addition, laws in all 50 U.S. states generally require businesses to provide notice under certain circumstances to individuals whose personal information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. Moreover, Congress has considered, and is currently considering, various proposals for more comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity legislation, to which we and/or the Bank may be subject if passed. These laws and regulations impose compliance costs and create obligations and, in some cases, reporting obligations, and compliance with these laws, regulations, and obligations may require us to use significant resources. With increased focus on data privacy and cybersecurity, we are continuing to monitor legislative, regulatory, and supervisory developments related thereto. For more information on our cybersecurity practices, see Item 1C. “Cybersecurity.”
Incentive Compensation. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities with at least $1 billion in total consolidated assets, that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director, or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. In 2016, the SEC and the federal banking agencies proposed rules that prohibit covered financial institutions (including bank holding companies and banks) from establishing or maintaining incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing covered persons (consisting of senior executive officers and significant risk takers, as defined in the rules) with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits that could lead to material financial loss to the financial institution. It is unclear when or whether this rule will be finalized.
Future Regulation
From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation or regulation could change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted or implemented, such legislation or regulation could increase or decrease our cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether any such legislation or regulation will be enacted or implemented, and, if so, the effect that it would have on our financial condition or results of operations.
Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies
Our operations are affected not only by general economic conditions but also by the policies of various regulatory authorities. In particular, the Federal Reserve uses monetary policy tools to impact money market and credit market conditions and interest rates to influence general economic conditions. These policies have a significant impact on our overall growth and distribution of loans, investments, and deposits; they affect market interest rates charged on loans or paid for time and savings deposits and can significantly influence employment and inflation rates. Federal Reserve monetary policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks, including us, in the past and are expected to do so in the future.
Filings with the SEC
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are available at no cost on our investor relations website, http://investors.atlanticunionbank.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file, or furnish, such documents with the SEC. The information contained on our website is not a part of this Form 10-K, nor incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K or of any other filing with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available at no cost through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.